Another potential long COVID treatment ruled out A COVID-19 antiviral has been shown to be ineffective at treating the condition, as doctors continue to be left with few options.
PBAC recommends Paxlovid eligibility change The advice, which is yet to be put in place by the Department of Health and Aged Care, will expand eligibility to people aged 50–59.
New antiviral may offer ‘less cumbersome’ COVID treatment option The Chinese-developed oral antiviral reportedly achieves similar outcomes to Paxlovid, but with fewer side effects and drug–drug interactions.
GPs urged to not dismiss molnupiravir entirely While guidelines say the drug should be only prescribed as a ‘last resort’, there are concerns this could deter GPs from prescribing the treatment altogether.
Molnupiravir to be used only as a last resort: Taskforce Advice has changed for the country’s most prescribed COVID-19 oral antiviral, although access via the PBS will remain in place.
Push to allow pharmacist prescribing of antivirals flipped on its head A ‘more sensible approach’ would see the lifesaving medications added to the Doctor’s Bag, a prominent GP has said.
Could anticipatory deprescribing allow better COVID treatment? Despite being more effective according to some studies, Paxlovid prescriptions lag Lagevrio, with drug–drug interactions likely to play a part.
Relapse reports ‘don’t undermine Paxlovid capability’ Rare cases of COVID-19 rebounding after patients have taken a course of the new oral antiviral treatment have been widely reported.
Health officials flag increased use of antivirals as COVID becomes endemic The new oral treatments are likely to play a more central role in limiting the impact of COVID-19, but health authorities are still assessing how that will take shape.
Push for more detail on COVID-19 oral antivirals impact Experts highlight ‘crucial’ need for more understanding about how newly released oral antiviral drugs are performing in the broader population.